Friday, June 20, 2008

1 Peter 3:3-6

Hey God.
Hey Jen.
How's things.
Fine... What is it?
How'd You know?
I know everything
Yeah... read that. Don't You do small talk?
That would be evading the issue.
Is it really that obvious?
You've been doing it for the last 28 years; there are tell-tale signs
I've been pondering something.
Yes, I know
About what Peter said about true beauty?
I like that passage. My daughters should heed it more
You know the gentle and quiet spirit part?
Yes
I don't have one
No, you don't
I want one
Really?
You know I do. But You did not give me one up front
No, I didn't
You could have
That is true
But You didn't
No, I didn't
Why not?
So you could cultivate it
Why can't you just give it to me? You could You know.
But then what would you learn?
It also would have been a lot easier if true beauty did come from pretty hair, jewelery and fine clothes
But then what would your worth be?
But it's the desire of my heart! You said You give us those
Even your desires must come with a lesson, dear heart. I do not give gifts that are less than perfect for you
Why is this what you find of great worth?
I like Myself to be easily found. Where the gentle spirit is, there I am. Where there is quiet, I can speak. Outside adornments are loud, and I cannot be heard over them.
It's not exactly glamorous though, nor obviously beautiful
For whom else but Me do you need to be beautiful?
Gentle and Quiet aren't the norm, You know
I don't ask you to be of the world
Yeah, about that... I don't want to be a doormat. The world says quiet and gentle get walked over and have no voice
Sarah had a voice. You are her daughter. I do not ask you to do things that are impossible with Me
But it's hard!
I will help You. All you need to do is ask
I'm thinking asking for a gentle and quiet spirit is a dangerous thing to do. It's in the same category as Why I Don't Pray for Patience.
Then you will not grow. I cannot use someone unwilling
It's not that I'm unwilling, Lord.
Then what would you call it?
... Lazy. Cultivating that spirit requires me to pay attention and watch myself. Watch my tongue.
Stubborn. I want to be right all the time. A gentle and quiet spirit does not argue the point.
Disobedient. You have asked this of me. I am choosing to say no.
Lord?
Yes?
I'm sorry. I have not cultivated that which You find great in worth. Please, forgive me
It is already done.
Lord?
Hmmm?
That spirit was in there form the beginning, wasn't it? That's why I want it to be better.
Yes, daughter Mine. You are truly beautiful to me, and you will only grow more so.
You're so clever. Will I ever make it?
I started a good work in you. It will be completed. You will grow and mature and nurture that spirit. You will be a beacon to young women who desire My Love. They will want what you have. They will see that you are who I called you to Be without fear or anxiousness. They will see My face in your gentleness. They will hear My voice in your quiet. You will be Sarah; a spiritual mother to many... encouraging them in their beauty.
Lord, I have so far to go before then
It will be done on time
I fear I will disappoint You
All you need do is start
I should get a wriggle on
You have taken the first vital steps
You'll come with?
Always
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

2 comments:

Bohemian chic said...

That was absolutly beautiful! I think I used an entire box of tissue reading Angie's blog. I am amazed at the faithfulness of God and how he continues to bring his daughters together.

Meg in Tally said...

Wow! I missed this yesterday when I first visited. I hope its okay if I send others in my homeschool group to read it. I'm not sure how to 'link' it...but I'll figure something out.

I'm not of the quiet spirit either. Must work on that! The beauty thing doesn't seem to be a problem...I'm not much on adorning. Probaby just a lot of lazy! LOL!!